SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A 19-year-old Saratoga Springs man became the second soldier from the Capital Region to be killed in Afghanistan in the last week, city school district officials said Tuesday.

David Taylor Miller, who was known by his middle name, and another soldier were killed Monday by a bomb thrown by an Afghan, A family friend told an ABC news station in Virginia. Miller had moved to Gansevoort with his family from Virginia a few years ago. Official information on how and when Miller was killed could not be confirmed with the Department of Defense Tuesday.

Miller had played two years of varsity football for the Saratoga Springs Blue Streaks before graduating from the district in 2009. He joined the Army right out of high school last July, according to his Facebook page.

"A bright young man with so much potential was taken from our community," Janice White, superintendent of Saratoga Springs schools, said in a statement. "We grieve with his family in their profound sorrow."

Miller is the second Capital Region soldier to die in as many weeks. His hometown was Amherst, Va., according to his Facebook page, where he is pictured in an Army vest.

Miller served in the Army as a designated marksman, and landed in Afghanistan in April, according to the web page.

He had played lineman for the Saratoga Springs football team, his former coach Terry Jones said. He came to practice every day, had perfect manners and was well respected by teammates, Jones said.

"What I remember most is his beautiful, large smile," the coach said. "It's a tragedy. He will certainly be missed."

The Department of Defense has not released information about the latest casualty report from overseas. The military waits 24 hours after all next of kin are notified before confirming deaths.

But word got out at the school, prompting White to release a five-sentence statement.

"Less than one year ago, David crossed the stage at graduation. We graduate young men and women to be courageous and of good character. David Miller's service to our country has humbled us," White wrote.

Miller's death is part of a burst of violence that has recently hit service members in Afghanistan, where American troops have been stationed since 2001. American deaths in the country have increased every year since 2003, with 521 reported in 2009. At least 287 coalition members have been killed so far this year, with at least 67 occurring this month, according to casualty websites.

On June 15, Army Spc. Benjamin D. Osborn of Queensbury died in an insurgent attack in Afghanistan. He was shot twice, and will be buried Thursday in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery. The Virginia-based ABC news station reported Tuesday that Miller would be buried near his former home in Arlington National Cemetery.